The Impact of Athletic Participation on Body Image and Eating Disorders: A Cross- Sectional Study of Female Basketball Players and Sedentary Women Running title: Body Appreciation in Female Basketball

The Impact of Athletic Participation on Body Image and Eating Disorders: A Cross- Sectional Study of Female Basketball Players and Sedentary Women Running title: Body Appreciation in Female Basketball | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article The Impact of Athletic Participation on Body Image and Eating Disorders: A Cross- Sectional Study of Female Basketball Players and Sedentary Women Running title: Body Appreciation in Female Basketball Neslihan KOCATEPE, Hande SEVEN AVUK, Beril KÖSE This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9029754/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 9 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background This study, which aims to address the lack of team sports-focused data in the literature, analyzes the interaction between body appreciation and eating attitudes in professional basketball players and sedentary women according to league level. Methods This cross-sectional study included 116 professional female basketball players and 125 sedentary women. Data were collected using the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) and the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26). Due to non-normal data distribution (Kolmogorov-Smirnov, p < 0.05), Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests were used for group comparisons, and Spearman Correlation for variable relationships. Multivariate linear regression models were further applied to assess the impact of league level on eating attitudes while controlling for age, BMI, education, and body image. Results The research findings showed that the basketball players' body appreciation scores were statistically significantly higher than the sedentary group (p = 0.001). No significant difference was found between the groups regarding the prevalence of eating disorder risk (p = 0.551). While a significant negative correlation was identified between body appreciation and eating attitude scores in the sedentary group (r=-0.195; p = 0.029), this relationship was not found to be substantial in the basketball player group (p > 0.05). Conclusion The lack of association between body appreciation and eating attitudes in the athlete group is consistent with literature suggesting that team sports may prioritize physical functionality, potentially acting as a protective buffer against aesthetic pressures. However, direct comparisons with individual sports are needed to further clarify this mechanism. Research findings indicate that, regardless of an individual's level of competitiveness, cognitive-behavioral interventions focused on physical functioning are essential. In conclusion, this study contributes to the growing body of evidence indicating that sports participation is positively associated with enhanced body appreciation. body appreciation eating behaviors female athletes basketball players eating attitudes test (EAT-26) Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Introduction Disordered eating is a condition characterized by a persistent disturbance in eating or eating-related behaviors, posing serious health risks [ 1 ]. Eating behaviors are shaped by the interaction of individual characteristics and environmental factors, and this dynamic process can, in some cases, lay the groundwork for the development of eating disorders. It is reported that in the emergence of eating disorders, individual traits such as genetic predisposition, low self-esteem, anxiety, and perfectionism play a role, as do factors like the pressure to be thin, media influence, family attitudes, and stressful life events. Eating behaviors are conceptualized along a continuum model, as defined by the Dysfunctional Eating Attitudes and Behaviors (DEAB) framework proposed by Monthuy-Blanc et al. [ 2 ], which integrates various dimensions of disordered and adaptive eating patterns. This model allows for an understanding of emotional eating, intuitive eating, restrictive dieting practices, and binge/purge disorders, defined at the DSM-5 level as an interconnected process [ 2 – 4 ]. Key determinants of increased competitive pressure during competition periods include psychological (especially anxiety and perfectionism), sociocultural (e.g., the thin body ideal and coach-related pressures), and sport-specific (endurance, aesthetic concerns, weight control) factors [ 5 – 6 ]. Among these factors, body image perception is one of the most significant. Athletes, caught between performance expectations and external appearance standards, tend to evaluate their bodies not only in terms of physical capacity but also according to aesthetic norms [ 7 ]. Body appreciation is a component of a positive body image based on the individual accepting and respecting the functionality, health, and unique characteristics of their body, rather than evaluating it solely based on its aesthetic appearance [ 8 ]. Theoretically, this positive body attitude acts as a protective buffer in developing resistance to sociocultural ideals of thinness and appearance-focused pressures; thereby contributing to a reduction in restrictive dietary behaviors and the maintenance of eating behaviors in a healthier and more consistent manner over time [ 5 ] Wells et al. state that sports are "lean" or "non-lean." Disciplines such as cross-country, track and field, swimming, and volleyball are lean sports, whereas basketball, soccer, softball, and golf are considered non-lean sports. It has been reported that the risk for Dysfunctional Eating Attitudes and Behaviors (DEAB) is generally lower in non-lean sports, as the expectation to maintain a slender physique is more prominent in lean sports [ 9 – 11 ]. Supporting this literature, a study by Baceviciene et al. [ 5 ] found that female athletes in the ‘non-lean’ group, which included team sports, had significantly lower eating disorder scores than those in aesthetic disciplines. The same study found that participation in team sports reduced the likelihood of dietary restriction by 49%. Female athletes may develop a powerful physique to enhance their performance; however, this body type often does not align with the idealized female body image prevalent in society. Consequently, even if societal body norms are not directly considered, they can unconsciously influence body perception and psychological state [ 12 , 13 ]. At this point, the evidence presented by Vardardottir et al. [ 14 ] supports our findings. The researchers note that athletes in team sports may experience more complex dissatisfactions related to muscularity and body composition rather than thinness, but that traditional screening tools mostly focus only on the desire for thinness. Therefore, the weakness of the relationship identified in our basketball players may stem from eating attitude tests not fully reflecting the multidimensional body image concerns (e.g., muscularity pressure) experienced by athletes. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that body dissatisfaction can elevate the risk of Dysfunctional Eating Attitudes and Behaviors (DEAB) [ 15 ]. The prevalence of eating disorders among athletes is reported to be higher compared to non-athlete individuals [ 16 , 17 ]. Female athletes are considered more susceptible to body dissatisfaction and Dysfunctional Eating Attitudes and Behaviors (DEAB) [ 18 ]. Literature has demonstrated that body image and eating disorder risks differ between physically active and sedentary individuals. Generally, regular participation in physical activity and team sports has been associated with lower body dissatisfaction and protective psychological effects compared to sedentary controls [ 19 ]. However, sports participation itself can harbor unique pressures; specifically, a high risk of eating disorders associated with media and sociocultural pressures has been reported among professional female athletes [ 20 ]. Conversely, among sedentary individuals, social media and societal beauty ideals have been found to increase negative body perception and the risk of disordered eating behaviors [ 21 , 22 ]. Based on the current findings, it can be concluded that body image in female basketball players is strongly associated with their eating behaviors. However, the lack of studies in Türkiye encompassing female basketball players at different professional levels and comparing them with a sedentary group highlights the need to fill this knowledge gap. Accordingly, this study aims to examine the relationship between body appreciation levels and eating behaviors among female basketball players at various league levels and to evaluate these variables by comparing them with sedentary women in a similar age group. In this study, the following hypotheses were tested considering existing data and theoretical frameworks in the literature: Hypothesis 1 It is hypothesized that professional female basketball players will have significantly higher body appreciation than sedentary women due to the nature of the sport, which emphasizes physical functionality. Hypothesis 2 It is predicted that basketball players will have a lower risk of disordered eating behaviors than sedentary women because basketball is a “non-lean” sport. Hypothesis 3 It is assumed that there will be a negative and significant relationship between body appreciation level and disordered eating attitudes in both groups. Hypothesis 4 It is hypothesized that the league level at which basketball players compete will create a decisive difference in body appreciation and eating attitudes due to competitive pressure. Material And Methods Study Design and Participants This cross-sectional study was conducted with two groups: competitive female basketball players and an age-matched sedentary control group. The athlete group consisted of women aged 18 years and older who were licensed to compete in the Turkish Basketball Federation Women’s Basketball Leagues during the 2024–2025 season. Convenience sampling was employed. Basketball players were recruited through direct contact with clubs competing in the relevant leagues and through team coaches. The sedentary control group was recruited via open announcements shared through universities and social media platforms. This group comprised women aged 18 years and older who reported no history of regular exercise or participation in competitive sports. Men and individuals under 18 years of age were excluded. In the study, existing psychiatric diagnoses and known eating disorders, which were predicted to have a direct and strong confounding effect on participants' body image and eating attitudes, were determined as exclusion criteria. This approach was adopted in order to more clearly evaluate the fundamental effect of sports and sedentary lifestyles on psychometric variables, without the interference of a secondary clinical picture [ 16 , 23 ]. All participants provided both verbal and written informed consent prior to participation. Ethical approval was obtained from the Istanbul Bilgi University Ethics Committee in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (Approval No: 2024-40160-157; Date: 10.07.2024). Sample size was calculated using G*Power 3.1.9 software [ 24 ]. Based on an effect size (d) of 0.50, a significance level (α) of 0.05, and a statistical power (1 − β) of 0.95, the minimum required sample size was determined to be 176 participants. To enhance statistical power, a total of 251 participants were included (116 basketball players and 125 sedentary women). The STROBE flow diagram of the study is presented in Fig. 1 . Preliminary analyses showed that age and BMI did not differ significantly between the groups (p > 0.05). Thus, the groups were regarded as matched for these characteristics. Data Collection Tools Data were collected during the 2024–2025 competitive season through the face-to-face administration of a comprehensive, three-part questionnaire. The first part collected participants' sociodemographic information, training details, and anthropometric measurements (see Supplementary File 1). The subsequent parts included two validated psychometric instruments: the Body Assessment Scale (BAS) and the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26). Survey form The researcher prepared a survey form, which included sociodemographic information such as individuals' age, height, body weight, and education, and applied it. The participants' body weight in the study was measured using a digital scale on a flat and hard surface without shoes. The heights of individuals were measured with the help of a height meter in an upright position, with their feet side by side and their heads on the Frankfurt plane, with their heels against the wall. Individuals' body mass index (BMI) (kg/m 2 ) was calculated using the equation [Body weight (kg)/Height (m 2 )] using their body weight (kg) and height (m). Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) Body satisfaction was assessed using the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS), developed by Tylka and Wood-Barcalow [ 25 ] and later adapted and validated for the Turkish population by Anlı et al. [ 26 ]. The BAS is a 10-item instrument with a 5-point Likert-type scale, ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (always). Total scores can range from 10 to 50, with higher scores indicating a higher level of body appreciation. The Cronbach's Alpha coefficient for the Turkish version was reported as 0.880 [ 27 ]. Eating Attitudes Test-26 The EAT-26 is an abbreviated 26-item version of the EAT-40 developed by Garner et al [ 21 ]. For this study, the Turkish validity and reliability of the short form (YTT-26) adapted by Ergüney-Okumuş and Sertel-Berk was used [ 28 ]. For the YTT-26, the internal consistency coefficient (Cronbach’s alpha) was reported as 0.70, and the intraclass correlation coefficient as 0.95. The scale is a Likert-type measure, with scores ranging from 0 to 53. A cut-off points of 20 is applied: individuals scoring 20 or above are classified as “at risk for disordered eating/abnormal eating behavior,” whereas those scoring below 20 are classified as “not at risk for disordered eating/normal eating behavior.” [ 28 ]. Statistical Analysis The data obtained in this study were analyzed using SPSS for Windows, version 30.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test revealed that continuous variables were not normally distributed. Therefore, descriptive statistics were expressed as median, 25th and 75th percentiles, and percentages. Nonparametric methods were applied to compare sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics and scale scores. For comparisons among three or more independent groups, the Kruskal–Wallis H test was used, and pairwise comparisons were conducted using Bonferroni-adjusted post-hoc tests when significant differences were detected. The Mann–Whitney U test was employed to compare two independent groups, while Fisher’s Exact test was used for categorical variables. Relationships between scale scores were assessed with Spearman’s correlation analysis. In addition, multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of league level on eating attitude scores. The models were adjusted for body appreciation, age, education level, and body mass index (BMI). A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Table 1 presents the sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics of the participants. No significant difference was found between the median age values of the sedentary (22 years) and basketball player (21 years) groups (p = 0.553). The median height of the basketball players (178 cm) was significantly greater than that of the sedentary group (165 cm) (p < 0.001). Regarding BMI, the median value for the basketball players was 21.38 kg/m², while for the sedentary group it was 20.54 kg/m², and the difference between them was not statistically significant (p = 0.089). Table 1 Sociodemographic and Anthropometric Characteristics of the Participants Parameters Basketball player (n = 116) p Sedentary (n = 125) p Super League (n = 33) Basketball League (n = 46) Regional League (n = 37) Total (n = 116) Age (years) 22.32 ± 2.95 25.00 a [19.50–27] 21.50 a [ 20 – 25 ] 19 b [19-21.50] 21 [ 19 – 25 ] < 0.001* 22 [ 21 – 23 ] 0.553** Height (cm) 180 [172–188] 176 [170–183] 176 [172.50-181.50] 178 [172-184.75] 0.125* 165 [160–170] < 0.001** Body Weight (kg) 71 [62.50–77] 66.5 [60-77.25] 64[59.50–73] 67 [60–75] 0.165* 57 [51–65] < 0.001** Body Mass Index (BMI) (kg/m 2 ) 21.26 [20.06–23.18] 21.66 [20.63–22.99] 20.8 [19.39–20.80] 21.28 [19.96–22.86] 0.190* 20.54 [18.81–23.09] 0.089** Educational Status High School 9(21.8) 6(13.1) 21(56.8) 36 (31.00) < 0.001*** 19 (15.20) 0.019*** Undergraduate 24(72.7) 37(80.4) 15(40.5) 76 (65.55) 102 (81.60) Master's Degree - 3(6.5) 1(2.7) 4 (3.45) 4 (3.20) Percentages are provided for each column. Median [Q1-Q3], Q1: 25th percentile, Q3: 75th percentile, n(%), *Kruskal–Wallis H Test, Post-hoc analysis: Mann–Whitney U test with Bonferroni correction.** Mann–Whitney U Test, *** Fisher Exact Test were performed. a−b : Differences between different letters are significant. Table 2 presents the evaluation of scores from the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) and the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26). The median score on the Body Appreciation Scale was 41 for basketball players and 37 for sedentary women (p = 0.001). For the EAT-26 'Dieting' subscale, the median score was 4 for basketball players in the super league and 2 for those not playing in the league (p = 0.012). The median score on the 'Social Pressure' subscale was significantly higher in sedentary women than in basketball players (1 vs. 0, respectively; p = 0.039). The prevalence of disordered eating behaviors did not differ significantly between the groups (p = 0.551), with 78.4% of basketball players and 75.2% of sedentary individuals showing no such behaviors. Table 2 Evaluation of participants' Body Image Scale and Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) scores Parameters Basketball player (n = 116) p Sedentary (n = 125) p Super League (n = 33) Basketball League (n = 46) Regional League (n = 37) Total (n = 116) Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) 43(39-46.50) a 39.50(34–46) bc 38(33.50–43) c 41(35–46) 0.020* 37(32–41) 0.001** EAT-26 Food Preoccupation 6(2-9.5) 6(2-9.25) 8(4-12.5) 6.50(2-10.75) 0.288* 5(1.5–12) 0.404** Restraint 4(2-9.5) a 2(0–5) b 3(1-6.5) 3(1–6) 0.012* 3(2–6) 0.558** Social Pressure 0(0–2) 1(0–2) 0(0–2) 0(0–2) 0.774* 1(0–3) 0.039** EAT-26-TOTAL 12(7.50–24.50) 11(6.75-16) 14(9.50–20.50) 12(8–18) 0.065* 12(8–19) 0.822** No Risk of Eating Disorder 22 (66.7) 41(89.1) 28(75.7) 91(78.4) 0.051*** 94(75.2) 0.551** At Risk for Eating Disorder 11(33.3) 5(10.9) 9(24.3) 25(21.6) 31(24.8) Percentages are provided for each column. Median (Q1-Q3), Q1: 25th percentile, Q3: 75th percentile, n(%), *Kruskal–Wallis H Test, post hoc Bonferroni Test ** Mann–Whitney U Test, *** Fisher Exact Test were performed. a−c The presence of at least one common letter in the same row indicates that there is no statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). For basketball players, the correlation between scores on the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) and the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) was not significant (r = 0.046, p = 0.623). However, among sedentary women, a very weak yet statistically significant negative correlation was found between the two scales (r=-0.195, p = 0.029) (Fig. 2 ). The effect of league level on the risk of disordered eating among female basketball players was examined using multiple linear regression analysis. In the crude model, no significant association was found between league level and EAT-26 scores (β = 0.025, p = 0.818). The effect of the league variable remained statistically non-significant in Model 1, which was adjusted for body appreciation (β = 0.046, p = 0.690); in Model 2, with the further addition of age (β=-0.015, p = 0.493); and in Model 3, which also included education level (β=-0.038, p = 0.750). Similarly, in the final model (Model 4), which controlled for body appreciation, age, education level, and BMI, league level did not have a significant effect on EAT-26 scores (β = 0.103, p = 0.300) (Table 3 ). Table 3 Multivariate linear regression analysis related to eating disorders in basketball players EAT-26 β T 95% Confidence Interval p value Lower Upper League Crude 0.025 0.230 -0.432 0.545 0.818 Model 1 0.046 0.400 -0.404 0.609 0.690 Model 2 -0.015 -0.127 -0.561 0.430 0.493 Model 3 -0.038 -0.319 -0.618 0.447 0.750 Model 4 0.103 1.042 0.000 0.001 0.300 Model 1: Adjusted for body appreciation scale (BAS) (R 2 : 0.033; 0.082) Model 2: Adjusted for age, body appreciation scale (BAS) (R 2 : 0.048; 0.049) Model 3: Adjusted for body appreciation scale (BAS), age, and education level (R 2 : 0.067; 0.034) Model 4: Adjusted for body appreciation scale (BAS), age, education level, and BMI (R 2 :0.068; 0.041) Discussion In the present study, the body appreciation and eating behaviors of professional female basketball players from different leagues were examined, and the findings were compared with those of sedentary women. Detailed analyses revealed potential relationships between body appreciation and eating behaviors. This research is the first study to evaluate this relationship among Turkish professional female basketball players across different league levels. The median Body Appreciation Scale score of the basketball players participating in the present study was 41. Similar studies have reported mean scale scores in female athletes as 41 ± 9.65 and 43.37 ± 7.89 [ 29 , 30 ]. In a study conducted in Canada on female athletes in volleyball, track and field, and dance, the BAS-2 was utilized, and the mean score was reported as 3.67 ± 0.65 [ 31 ]. Due to differences in sample ages and sport disciplines, these findings should be interpreted with caution across studies. Furthermore, the distinctions between the scales must be considered when comparing results obtained from the BAS and the BAS-2 in the literature. In the present study, basketball players competing in the top league had higher body appreciation than players in other leagues. Similarly, a study on soccer players reported that professional athletes exhibited greater body appreciation than amateur athletes [ 20 ]. However, a different study determined that beginner-level ballet dancers had higher body appreciation than advanced-level dancers [ 32 ]. Another distinct finding of our study is that female athletes had higher body appreciation than their sedentary counterparts. Similarly, CrossFit athletes and individuals engaged in weight training have been shown to possess higher body appreciation than sedentary participants [ 33 ]. In general, the findings in the literature indicate that while body appreciation is influenced by variables such as professional level and sport discipline, physical activity plays a protective role in body image compared to a sedentary lifestyle. This protective effect may be explained by several psychosocial and sport-specific mechanisms. Firstly, the 'functional body focus' inherent in basketball allows athletes to value their bodies for physical capacity and performance rather than aesthetic appearance. Furthermore, the team identity and collective goals in team sports can buffer against individual appearance-related anxieties, while the 'non-lean' nature of basketball reduces the pressure for extreme thinness often found in aesthetic disciplines or social media-driven sedentary groups [ 9 , 25 , 34 ] . In addition to these positive findings regarding body appreciation, the study's other focus—eating attitudes and the risk of disorders—is critical for athlete health. A study by Kong et al. [ 10 ] demonstrated that the EAT-26 scores of athletes in "lean sports" (e.g., dance, gymnastics, swimming) were significantly higher than those of athletes in "non-lean sports" (team sports such as basketball, volleyball, handball, and soccer). Furthermore, the rate of eating disorder risk among female athletes in lean sports was reported to be 84%. In a separate study among female athletes, 27.4% of participants were found to be at high risk for an eating disorder [ 35 ]. In a study conducted with female university athletes in Turkey, the mean EAT-26 score was found to be 17.7 ± 8.4, and 32.5% of the participants were identified as being at risk for an eating disorder [ 36 ]. In Pakistan, a study of 60 elite female athletes aged 18–25 found that 50% of the athletes were at risk for an eating disorder according to their EAT-26 results [ 37 ]. In another study involving 56 female athletes, 8 participants (14.3%) were found to be at risk for an eating disorder, with a mean EAT-26 score of 7.9 ± 7.6 [ 38 ]. Like other studies in the literature, our study found that 21.6% of female athletes were at risk for disordered eating behaviors. As emphasized in the literature, female athletes are considered a high-risk group for eating disorders [ 39 , 40 ]. When evaluated in conjunction with the results obtained in the present study, these findings highlight the importance of closely monitoring eating behaviors in female athletes and implementing preventive interventions for at-risk groups. In the present study, it was found that 24.8% of sedentary women were at high risk for an eating disorder, and the difference was not statistically significant when compared to female basketball players. Like the findings of our study, research in Norway determined that recreational and national-level athletes exhibited significantly lower symptoms of eating disorders compared to sedentary and physically inactive individuals [ 40 ]. Conversely, a systematic review and meta-analysis by Ghazzawi et al [ 41 ]. reported that female athletes have a 45% higher prevalence of eating disorder behaviors compared to sedentary individuals. Similarly, the study emphasized that athletes are at a higher risk for eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors compared to sedentary individuals [ 42 ]. The finding in some studies that athletes are at a lower risk for eating disorders than their sedentary counterparts may be explained by a greater emphasis on body functionality and performance-related goals inherent in athletic participation. Conversely, the higher risk reported in other studies has been linked to sport-specific pressures that prioritize weight, shape, or appearance. This inconsistency suggests that eating disorder risk cannot be explained by a single factor. In line with this perspective, the absence of a significant difference in eating disorder risk in our sample may reflect the influence of contemporary societal factors. In particular, the pervasive impact of social media and idealized aesthetic norms may expose sedentary women to levels of appearance-related pressure comparable to those experienced by athletes, potentially contributing to a convergence in eating disorder risk prevalence [ 43 ]. One of the notable findings of our study is that no significant relationship was detected between body appreciation and eating attitudes among professional basketball players. This outcome may be explained by the perception of the body primarily as a performance-oriented, functional instrument rather than an aesthetic object in a power-based team sport like basketball, which is classified as "non-lean". This interpretation is consistent with the significant negative correlation detected in the sedentary group in the present study and with findings in the literature indicating that this relationship is stronger in "lean" sports where aesthetic concerns are prominent. Furthermore, the focus on common goals and the sense of belonging inherent in a team sport may act as a protective buffer against individual appearance-related anxieties, weakening this at-risk relationship. Similar to the findings of our study, a study conducted on adult female athletes in Poland found a significant inverse relationship between the risk of eating disorders, as identified by EAT-26 scores, and body satisfaction. Low body appreciation significantly increases the risk of eating disorders [ 40 ]. It has been shown that female athletes are more susceptible to body dissatisfaction and the risk of eating disorders, with this relationship being powerful in sports that focus on a lean body ideal [ 18 ]. In a study conducted with female university athletes, a higher incidence of eating disorders and body dissatisfaction was observed in lean sports (e.g., gymnastics, swimming). This trend was more prominent when compared to male athletes and non-lean sports [ 44 ]. According to a systematic review of professional male and female athletes, the prevalence of eating disorders is higher in elite athletes than in the general population; however, a lower risk was observed in terms of body dissatisfaction. It is noted that this relationship is particularly pronounced in female athletes and in "lean" sports [ 8 ]. The literature generally reports that higher body appreciation is inversely related to symptoms of eating disorders, indicating that an increase in body appreciation runs parallel to a decrease in risk as measured by indicators like the EAT-26. This pattern has been demonstrated in both various community samples and among athletes, and it is consistent with our findings. It is emphasized that psychological resilience, self-esteem, and particularly self-compassion may bolster body appreciation, thereby strengthening emotional/functional eating attitudes [ 34 , 45 ] These findings indicate that the relationship between body appreciation and eating disorders in athletes is particularly pronounced in females and "lean" sports, yet this association can vary depending on the type of sport and the level of competition. In the present study, league level was found to have no significant effect on the risk of eating disorders. Similarly, in a regression analysis of female athletes, Abbott et al. [ 45 ] reported that the risk of eating disorders was more closely associated with individual traits, such as perfectionism, than with the level of sport participation. Consistent with these findings, Stoyel et al. [ 46 ] demonstrated that eating disorder symptoms among athletes cannot be explained solely by competition level, highlighting the decisive influence of emotional factors and body dissatisfaction. Furthermore, Staśkiewicz-Bartecka and Kardas [ 20 ] emphasized that social media use and body perception may significantly contribute to eating disorder risk among professional female soccer players. Similarly, Ghazzawi et al. [ 41 ] reported that younger age, female gender, and higher BMI values are key predictors that significantly increase the risk of eating disorders, whereas athletic status alone is not a sufficient explanatory factor. Taken together, these results support the findings of our study, suggesting that the risk of eating disorders is shaped more by these individual and psychosocial factors—such as weight-related concerns associated with high BMI—than by league level. Our study has several notable strengths. First, it addresses an important gap in the literature by being the first study to examine professional female basketball players competing at different league levels in Turkey. In addition, the comparative design including age-matched sedentary women allows for a clearer evaluation of the potential effects of regular sports participation on body image and eating attitudes. The use of validated and reliable measurement tools, namely the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) and the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), further strengthens the methodological rigor of the study. Overall, the findings contribute valuable insights to the existing literature on body image and eating behaviors among female athletes. Despite these strengths, several limitations should be acknowledged. Owing to the cross-sectional design, the observed associations cannot be interpreted in a causal framework. Since the data were collected at a single time point, definitive conclusions regarding the directionality of the relationships between body appreciation and eating attitudes cannot be drawn. Moreover, the reliance on self-reported instruments (BAS and EAT-26) may introduce bias related to subjective perception and social desirability. Another limitation concerns the study sample, which consisted solely of female basketball players competing in leagues affiliated with the Turkish Basketball Federation and sedentary women; therefore, the findings cannot be generalized to male athletes, other sports disciplines, or different cultural settings. Despite its contributions, this study has several limitations that should be considered. First, the cross-sectional design precludes drawing causal inferences or determining the directionality of the relationships between body appreciation and eating attitudes. While the total sample size was statistically powered, the relatively limited sample sizes in league-level subgroups (e.g., Super League n = 33, Regional League n = 37) may have restricted the statistical power to fully reveal differences between leagues or the specific effects of variables within regression models.Furthermore, the relatively low incremental R 2 values (0.033–0.068) observed in our regression models indicate that the analyzed variables explain only a small proportion of the variance in eating attitudes. This suggests that disordered eating behaviors are influenced by a complex interplay of individual and sport-specific factors not controlled in this study, such as training volume (weekly hours and intensity), history of past eating disorders, and current psychological status (anxiety, depression, or stress levels). These findings are consistent with literature highlighting the impact of multidimensional factors like individual perfectionism, coach-related pressures, and sport-specific psychological stressors. Finally, the reliance on self-reported instruments (BAS and EAT-26) may introduce social desirability bias. Future research employing longitudinal designs with larger sample groups and incorporating these specific psychological and training-oriented variables will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamics between body appreciation and eating behaviors in professional basketball players. Clinical and Practical Implications Considering the findings, specific practical strategies should be implemented by coaches, sports psychologists, and club administrators. A team culture that encourages athletes to view their bodies as instruments of performance and health, rather than merely aesthetic objects, is essential to bolster body appreciation. Furthermore, when planning screenings and preventive interventions for eating disorder risk, consideration should be given primarily to the athlete's individual psychological characteristics—such as self-compassion, anxiety, and perfectionism—and the social environment (family and coach attitudes), rather than their league level. Implementing educational programs that emphasize body functionality may serve as a protective mechanism against risks arising from aesthetic concerns and societal body norms. Conclusion This study provides evidence that professional women’s basketball is associated with significantly higher body appreciation compared to a sedentary lifestyle, suggesting that the sport's focus on physical functionality may serve as a protective buffer against idealized aesthetic norms. Notably, the risk of disordered eating was found to be independent of the league level, indicating that these risks are likely driven by individual psychosocial factors rather than competitive intensity alone. These results highlight the importance of shifting the focus from aesthetic appearance to physical capacity in athletic settings. Future research should employ longitudinal designs to establish causal relationships and compare diverse sport disciplines—specifically 'lean' versus 'non-lean' sports—while examining contemporary factors like social media influence to deepen the understanding of eating behaviors in professional athletes. Declarations Authorship Contributions Neslihan KOCATEPE: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, and Writing – Original Draft. Hande SEVEN AVUK: Project Administration, Supervision, Methodology, Investigation, and Writing – Review & Editing. Beril KÖSE: Formal Analysis, Validation, Data Curation, and Writing – Review & Editing. Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate Ethical approval for this study was granted by the Istanbul Bilgi University Ethics Committee (Approval No: 2024-40160-157; Date: 10.07.2024) in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. All participants provided both verbal and written informed consent prior to their participation. Consent for Publication Written informed consent for the publication of research findings was obtained from all participants involved in the study. Competing Interests The authors declare that they have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose. Permission to Reproduce Material from Other Sources No material was reproduced from other sources for this manuscript. Funding This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Author Contribution Neslihan KOCATEPE: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, and Writing – Original Draft.Hande SEVEN AVUK: Project Administration, Supervision, Methodology, Investigation, and Writing – Review & Editing.Beril KÖSE: Formal Analysis, Validation, Data Curation, and Writing – Review & Editing. Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank the professional basketball players and all participants who volunteered their time for this study. Special thanks are also extended to the clubs and coaches within the Turkish Basketball Federation for their cooperation during the data collection process. Data Availability The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. References Zhou R, Zhang L, Liu Y, Cao B. Emotion regulation difficulties and disordered eating in adolescents and young adults: A meta-analysis. J Eat Disord. 2025;13(1):25. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-025-01197-y . 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Balt J Health Phys Act. 2021;13(5):1–10. https://doi.org/10.29359/BJHPA.2021.Suppl.1.02 . Adam ME, Kowalski KC, Duckham RL, Ferguson LJ, Mosewich AD. Self-compassion plays a role in Canadian women athletes’ body appreciation and intuitive eating: A mixed methods approach. Int J Sport Psychol. 2021;52(4):287–309. https://doi.org/10.7352/IJSP.2021.52.287 . Zarate D, Marmara J, Potoczny C, Hosking W, Stavropoulos V. Body Appreciation Scale (BAS-2): Measurement invariance across genders and item response theory examination. BMC Psychol. 2021;9(1):114. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-021-00609-3 . Laus MF, Junqueira ACP, Almeida SS, Costa TMB, Swami V. Body image, muscle dysmorphia, and muscularity concerns: A comparison of CrossFit athletes, weight-trainers, and non-athletes. Motricidade. 2022;18(1):50–60. https://doi.org/10.6063/motricidade.25584 . El Basiouny D, Habib HI, Moore S, Khalil MA. Relation between body appreciation, eating disorder risk, emotional distress, and BMI among a group of Egyptian subjects. Middle East Curr Psychiatry. 2024;31(1):34. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-024-00423-8 . Canbolat E, Çakıroğlu FP. Eating disorders and nutritional habits of female university athletes. Spor Hekimliği Dergisi. 2020;55(3):245–53. Syed J, Jamil A, Namroz N, Shakeel M, Malik A, Kanwal S, et al. Prevalence of risk factors of the female athlete triad among young elite athletes of Pakistan. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2022;17:210–7. Soubliere D, Gitimu PN. Female athletes and eating disorders. Sport J. 2012; 15. Available from: https://thesportjournal.org/article/female-athletes-and-eating-disorders/ Doherty CS, Fortington LV, Barley OR. Prevalence of disordered eating and its relationship with rapid weight loss amongst male and female combat sport competitors: A prospective study. J Sci Med Sport. 2024;27(11):745–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2024.06.007 . Borowiec J, Banio-Krajnik A, Malchrowicz-Mośko E, Kantanista A. Eating disorder risk in adolescent and adult female athletes: The role of body satisfaction, sport type, BMI, level of competition, and training background. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2023;15(1):91. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-023-00683-7 . Vedenpää MM, Sagelv EH, Torstveit MK, Borch KB, Osborne JO. Lower prevalence of disordered eating behaviours among Norwegian female athletes compared to non-athletes: A cross-sectional survey using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire. Eur J Sport Sci. 2025;25(9):e70043. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsc.70043 . Ghazzawi HA, Nimer LS, Haddad AJ, Alhaj OA, Amawi AT, Pandi-Perumal SR, et al. A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of the prevalence of self-reported disordered eating and associated factors among athletes worldwide. J Eat Disord. 2024;12(1):24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-024-00982-5 . Vulpinari-Grajon B, Mériaux-Scoffier S. Enhanced risk of disordered eating in female athletes: Exploring the contribution of sport types and competitive levels. Perform Enhanc Health. 2024;12:100277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peh.2024.100277 . Castellanos Silva R, Steins G. Social media and body dissatisfaction in young adults: An experimental investigation of the effects of different image content and influencing constructs. Front Psychol. 2023;14:1037932. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1037932 . Fatt SJ, George E, Hay P, Jeacocke N, Gotkiewicz E, Mitchison D. An umbrella review of body image concerns, disordered eating, and eating disorders in elite athletes. J Clin Med. 2024;13(14):4171. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13144171 . Abbott W, Brett A, Brownlee T, Hammond J, Harper L, Naughton R, et al. The prevalence of disordered eating in elite male and female soccer players. J Eat Disord. 2021;26(2):491–8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-020-00872-0 . Stoyel H, Stride C, Shanmuganathan-Felton V, Serpell L. Understanding risk factors for disordered eating symptomatology in athletes: A prospective study. PLoS ONE. 2021;16(9):e0257577. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257577 . Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files SupplementaryFile1SurveyForm.pdf Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviews received at journal 14 May, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 30 Apr, 2026 Reviews received at journal 15 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 07 Apr, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 27 Mar, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 26 Mar, 2026 Editor invited by journal 09 Mar, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 06 Mar, 2026 First submitted to journal 06 Mar, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9029754","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":613453161,"identity":"7971bcd3-cf96-4216-a0f8-d37113fa8e5d","order_by":0,"name":"Neslihan KOCATEPE","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Istanbul Bilgi University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Neslihan","middleName":"","lastName":"KOCATEPE","suffix":""},{"id":613453162,"identity":"76cd675f-93b0-4531-b037-0cd7ed65e54a","order_by":1,"name":"Hande SEVEN AVUK","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA/ElEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACAyCWgLIZHzMYWDCwIYkQ1MJszGAgAdNiQJQWNmkYG68Wc/azB298YKiTMzjee6y6oEDCro+B+eBtHoY/+bi0WPbkJVvOYDhsbHDmXNrtGQYSyW0MbMnWPAwGlg24HHYgx0yah+FA4swZOWa3eYBa2Bh4QCIGOF1mcP6NmfQfhrr6mfPfmBVDtPB/w6/lBtAWYGAl8EvwmDEDtdgBbWEjoOWNsWWPwWHDfp4cY2mgXxLYmNmMLecYGONxWI7hjR8VdfJs7GcMPxf8sbGXb29+eONNhRzuUIZoRDATG5jRRAgCexLUjoJRMApGwQgBAOizRBJrIRheAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Istanbul Bilgi University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Hande","middleName":"SEVEN","lastName":"AVUK","suffix":""},{"id":613453163,"identity":"7f07ca75-9988-4a6c-9d2b-db2bdfe0ed54","order_by":2,"name":"Beril KÖSE","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Başkent University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Beril","middleName":"","lastName":"KÖSE","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-03-04 11:38:32","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9029754/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9029754/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":105879330,"identity":"cc4a5f0f-d238-4949-a71f-606fc7ef08f3","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-01 06:25:44","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":67353,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSTROBE flow diagram of the study\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9029754/v1/d65130e3a69880e25afff467.png"},{"id":105879344,"identity":"1161a649-6040-4e97-a603-9e8d3dc0f50b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-01 06:25:45","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":56873,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eRelationship between Body Appreciation Scale and EAT-26 total scores\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9029754/v1/168b03820f480cfe7eb1a09a.png"},{"id":105879510,"identity":"c555d15e-0550-40dd-a756-3ba839079924","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-01 06:26:37","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1008837,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9029754/v1/b28fae6b-949d-404f-a645-178967a77f27.pdf"},{"id":105879343,"identity":"da1ab8ab-32a2-4ab6-8e36-8e5efe79d174","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-01 06:25:45","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":93241,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"SupplementaryFile1SurveyForm.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9029754/v1/730f37c86f717a48a3bb9968.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"The Impact of Athletic Participation on Body Image and Eating Disorders: A Cross- Sectional Study of Female Basketball Players and Sedentary Women Running title: Body Appreciation in Female Basketball","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eDisordered eating is a condition characterized by a persistent disturbance in eating or eating-related behaviors, posing serious health risks [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. Eating behaviors are shaped by the interaction of individual characteristics and environmental factors, and this dynamic process can, in some cases, lay the groundwork for the development of eating disorders. It is reported that in the emergence of eating disorders, individual traits such as genetic predisposition, low self-esteem, anxiety, and perfectionism play a role, as do factors like the pressure to be thin, media influence, family attitudes, and stressful life events. Eating behaviors are conceptualized along a continuum model, as defined by the Dysfunctional Eating Attitudes and Behaviors (DEAB) framework proposed by Monthuy-Blanc et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e], which integrates various dimensions of disordered and adaptive eating patterns. This model allows for an understanding of emotional eating, intuitive eating, restrictive dieting practices, and binge/purge disorders, defined at the DSM-5 level as an interconnected process [\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR3\" citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKey determinants of increased competitive pressure during competition periods include psychological (especially anxiety and perfectionism), sociocultural (e.g., the thin body ideal and coach-related pressures), and sport-specific (endurance, aesthetic concerns, weight control) factors [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e]. Among these factors, body image perception is one of the most significant. Athletes, caught between performance expectations and external appearance standards, tend to evaluate their bodies not only in terms of physical capacity but also according to aesthetic norms [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e]. Body appreciation is a component of a positive body image based on the individual accepting and respecting the functionality, health, and unique characteristics of their body, rather than evaluating it solely based on its aesthetic appearance [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]. Theoretically, this positive body attitude acts as a protective buffer in developing resistance to sociocultural ideals of thinness and appearance-focused pressures; thereby contributing to a reduction in restrictive dietary behaviors and the maintenance of eating behaviors in a healthier and more consistent manner over time [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e]\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWells et al. state that sports are \"lean\" or \"non-lean.\" Disciplines such as cross-country, track and field, swimming, and volleyball are lean sports, whereas basketball, soccer, softball, and golf are considered non-lean sports. It has been reported that the risk for Dysfunctional Eating Attitudes and Behaviors (DEAB) is generally lower in non-lean sports, as the expectation to maintain a slender physique is more prominent in lean sports [\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR10\" citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e]. Supporting this literature, a study by Baceviciene et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e] found that female athletes in the \u0026lsquo;non-lean\u0026rsquo; group, which included team sports, had significantly lower eating disorder scores than those in aesthetic disciplines. The same study found that participation in team sports reduced the likelihood of dietary restriction by 49%.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFemale athletes may develop a powerful physique to enhance their performance; however, this body type often does not align with the idealized female body image prevalent in society. Consequently, even if societal body norms are not directly considered, they can unconsciously influence body perception and psychological state [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e]. At this point, the evidence presented by Vardardottir et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e] supports our findings. The researchers note that athletes in team sports may experience more complex dissatisfactions related to muscularity and body composition rather than thinness, but that traditional screening tools mostly focus only on the desire for thinness. Therefore, the weakness of the relationship identified in our basketball players may stem from eating attitude tests not fully reflecting the multidimensional body image concerns (e.g., muscularity pressure) experienced by athletes.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurthermore, it has been demonstrated that body dissatisfaction can elevate the risk of Dysfunctional Eating Attitudes and Behaviors (DEAB) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e]. The prevalence of eating disorders among athletes is reported to be higher compared to non-athlete individuals [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e]. Female athletes are considered more susceptible to body dissatisfaction and Dysfunctional Eating Attitudes and Behaviors (DEAB) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLiterature has demonstrated that body image and eating disorder risks differ between physically active and sedentary individuals. Generally, regular participation in physical activity and team sports has been associated with lower body dissatisfaction and protective psychological effects compared to sedentary controls [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e]. However, sports participation itself can harbor unique pressures; specifically, a high risk of eating disorders associated with media and sociocultural pressures has been reported among professional female athletes [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e]. Conversely, among sedentary individuals, social media and societal beauty ideals have been found to increase negative body perception and the risk of disordered eating behaviors [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e]. Based on the current findings, it can be concluded that body image in female basketball players is strongly associated with their eating behaviors. However, the lack of studies in T\u0026uuml;rkiye encompassing female basketball players at different professional levels and comparing them with a sedentary group highlights the need to fill this knowledge gap. Accordingly, this study aims to examine the relationship between body appreciation levels and eating behaviors among female basketball players at various league levels and to evaluate these variables by comparing them with sedentary women in a similar age group.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn this study, the following hypotheses were tested considering existing data and theoretical frameworks in the literature:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHypothesis 1\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003eIt is hypothesized that professional female basketball players will have significantly higher body appreciation than sedentary women due to the nature of the sport, which emphasizes physical functionality.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHypothesis 2\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003eIt is predicted that basketball players will have a lower risk of disordered eating behaviors than sedentary women because basketball is a \u0026ldquo;non-lean\u0026rdquo; sport.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHypothesis 3\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003eIt is assumed that there will be a negative and significant relationship between body appreciation level and disordered eating attitudes in both groups.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHypothesis 4\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003eIt is hypothesized that the league level at which basketball players compete will create a decisive difference in body appreciation and eating attitudes due to competitive pressure.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Material And Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStudy Design and Participants\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis cross-sectional study was conducted with two groups: competitive female basketball players and an age-matched sedentary control group. The athlete group consisted of women aged 18 years and older who were licensed to compete in the Turkish Basketball Federation Women\u0026rsquo;s Basketball Leagues during the 2024\u0026ndash;2025 season. Convenience sampling was employed. Basketball players were recruited through direct contact with clubs competing in the relevant leagues and through team coaches. The sedentary control group was recruited via open announcements shared through universities and social media platforms. This group comprised women aged 18 years and older who reported no history of regular exercise or participation in competitive sports. Men and individuals under 18 years of age were excluded. In the study, existing psychiatric diagnoses and known eating disorders, which were predicted to have a direct and strong confounding effect on participants' body image and eating attitudes, were determined as exclusion criteria. This approach was adopted in order to more clearly evaluate the fundamental effect of sports and sedentary lifestyles on psychometric variables, without the interference of a secondary clinical picture [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e]. All participants provided both verbal and written informed consent prior to participation. Ethical approval was obtained from the Istanbul Bilgi University Ethics Committee in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (Approval No: 2024-40160-157; Date: 10.07.2024). Sample size was calculated using G*Power 3.1.9 software [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e]. Based on an effect size (d) of 0.50, a significance level (α) of 0.05, and a statistical power (1\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;β) of 0.95, the minimum required sample size was determined to be 176 participants. To enhance statistical power, a total of 251 participants were included (116 basketball players and 125 sedentary women). The STROBE flow diagram of the study is presented in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e. Preliminary analyses showed that age and BMI did not differ significantly between the groups (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). Thus, the groups were regarded as matched for these characteristics.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eData Collection Tools\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eData were collected during the 2024\u0026ndash;2025 competitive season through the face-to-face administration of a comprehensive, three-part questionnaire. The first part collected participants' sociodemographic information, training details, and anthropometric measurements (see Supplementary File 1). The subsequent parts included two validated psychometric instruments: the Body Assessment Scale (BAS) and the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSurvey form\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe researcher prepared a survey form, which included sociodemographic information such as individuals' age, height, body weight, and education, and applied it. The participants' body weight in the study was measured using a digital scale on a flat and hard surface without shoes. The heights of individuals were measured with the help of a height meter in an upright position, with their feet side by side and their heads on the Frankfurt plane, with their heels against the wall. Individuals' body mass index (BMI) (kg/m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e) was calculated using the equation [Body weight (kg)/Height (m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e)] using their body weight (kg) and height (m).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBody Appreciation Scale (BAS)\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBody satisfaction was assessed using the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS), developed by Tylka and Wood-Barcalow [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e] and later adapted and validated for the Turkish population by Anlı et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e]. The BAS is a 10-item instrument with a 5-point Likert-type scale, ranging from 1 (never) to 5 (always). Total scores can range from 10 to 50, with higher scores indicating a higher level of body appreciation. The Cronbach's Alpha coefficient for the Turkish version was reported as 0.880 [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEating Attitudes Test-26\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe EAT-26 is an abbreviated 26-item version of the EAT-40 developed by Garner et al [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e]. For this study, the Turkish validity and reliability of the short form (YTT-26) adapted by Erg\u0026uuml;ney-Okumuş and Sertel-Berk was used [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e]. For the YTT-26, the internal consistency coefficient (Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha) was reported as 0.70, and the intraclass correlation coefficient as 0.95. The scale is a Likert-type measure, with scores ranging from 0 to 53. A cut-off points of 20 is applied: individuals scoring 20 or above are classified as \u0026ldquo;at risk for disordered eating/abnormal eating behavior,\u0026rdquo; whereas those scoring below 20 are classified as \u0026ldquo;not at risk for disordered eating/normal eating behavior.\u0026rdquo; [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStatistical Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe data obtained in this study were analyzed using SPSS for Windows, version 30.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). The Kolmogorov\u0026ndash;Smirnov test revealed that continuous variables were not normally distributed. Therefore, descriptive statistics were expressed as median, 25th and 75th percentiles, and percentages. Nonparametric methods were applied to compare sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics and scale scores. For comparisons among three or more independent groups, the Kruskal\u0026ndash;Wallis H test was used, and pairwise comparisons were conducted using Bonferroni-adjusted post-hoc tests when significant differences were detected. The Mann\u0026ndash;Whitney U test was employed to compare two independent groups, while Fisher\u0026rsquo;s Exact test was used for categorical variables. Relationships between scale scores were assessed with Spearman\u0026rsquo;s correlation analysis. In addition, multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of league level on eating attitude scores. The models were adjusted for body appreciation, age, education level, and body mass index (BMI). A p-value of \u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05 was considered statistically significant.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e presents the sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics of the participants. No significant difference was found between the median age values of the sedentary (22 years) and basketball player (21 years) groups (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.553). The median height of the basketball players (178 cm) was significantly greater than that of the sedentary group (165 cm) (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001). Regarding BMI, the median value for the basketball players was 21.38 kg/m\u0026sup2;, while for the sedentary group it was 20.54 kg/m\u0026sup2;, and the difference between them was not statistically significant (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.089).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSociodemographic and Anthropometric Characteristics of the Participants\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"8\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eParameters\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBasketball player (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;116)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ep\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSedentary (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;125)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ep\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuper League (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBasketball League (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;46)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRegional League (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;37)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;116)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge (years)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.32\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.95\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.00\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e [19.50\u0026ndash;27]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.50\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e[\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR21 CR22 CR23 CR24\" citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e[19-21.50]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e[\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR20 CR21 CR22 CR23 CR24\" citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001*\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e[\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR22\" citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.553**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHeight (cm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e180\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e[172\u0026ndash;188]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e176\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e[170\u0026ndash;183]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e176\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e[172.50-181.50]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e178\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e[172-184.75]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.125*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e165\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e[160\u0026ndash;170]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBody Weight (kg)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e71\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e[62.50\u0026ndash;77]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e66.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e[60-77.25]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64[59.50\u0026ndash;73]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e67\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e[60\u0026ndash;75]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.165*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e57\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e[51\u0026ndash;65]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBody Mass Index (BMI) (kg/m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e[20.06\u0026ndash;23.18]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.66\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e[20.63\u0026ndash;22.99]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e[19.39\u0026ndash;20.80]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e[19.96\u0026ndash;22.86]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.190*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.54\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e[18.81\u0026ndash;23.09]\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.089**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEducational Status\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"7\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHigh School\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9(21.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6(13.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21(56.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36 (31.00)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001***\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(15.20)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.019***\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUndergraduate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24(72.7)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37(80.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15(40.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e76 (65.55)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e102\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(81.60)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaster's Degree\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3(6.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1(2.7)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4 (3.45)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(3.20)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"8\"\u003ePercentages are provided for each column. Median [Q1-Q3], Q1: 25th percentile, Q3: 75th percentile, n(%), *Kruskal\u0026ndash;Wallis H Test, Post-hoc analysis: Mann\u0026ndash;Whitney U test with Bonferroni correction.** Mann\u0026ndash;Whitney U Test, *** Fisher Exact Test were performed. \u003csup\u003ea\u0026minus;b\u003c/sup\u003e: Differences between different letters are significant.\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e presents the evaluation of scores from the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) and the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26). The median score on the Body Appreciation Scale was 41 for basketball players and 37 for sedentary women (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.001). For the EAT-26 'Dieting' subscale, the median score was 4 for basketball players in the super league and 2 for those not playing in the league (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.012). The median score on the 'Social Pressure' subscale was significantly higher in sedentary women than in basketball players (1 vs. 0, respectively; p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.039). The prevalence of disordered eating behaviors did not differ significantly between the groups (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.551), with 78.4% of basketball players and 75.2% of sedentary individuals showing no such behaviors.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEvaluation of participants' Body Image Scale and Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) scores\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"8\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eParameters\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBasketball player (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;116)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ep\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSedentary (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;125)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ep\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuper League (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;33)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBasketball League (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;46)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRegional League (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;37)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;116)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBody Appreciation Scale (BAS)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43(39-46.50)\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39.50(34\u0026ndash;46)\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38(33.50\u0026ndash;43)\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41(35\u0026ndash;46)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.020*\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37(32\u0026ndash;41)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.001**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEAT-26\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"7\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFood Preoccupation\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6(2-9.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6(2-9.25)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8(4-12.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.50(2-10.75)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.288*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5(1.5\u0026ndash;12)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.404**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRestraint\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4(2-9.5)\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2(0\u0026ndash;5)\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3(1-6.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3(1\u0026ndash;6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.012*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3(2\u0026ndash;6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.558**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocial Pressure\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0(0\u0026ndash;2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1(0\u0026ndash;2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0(0\u0026ndash;2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0(0\u0026ndash;2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.774*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1(0\u0026ndash;3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.039**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEAT-26-TOTAL\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12(7.50\u0026ndash;24.50)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11(6.75-16)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14(9.50\u0026ndash;20.50)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12(8\u0026ndash;18)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.065*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12(8\u0026ndash;19)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.822**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo Risk of Eating Disorder\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22 (66.7)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41(89.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28(75.7)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e91(78.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.051***\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e94(75.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.551**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAt Risk for Eating Disorder\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11(33.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5(10.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9(24.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25(21.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31(24.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"8\"\u003ePercentages are provided for each column. Median (Q1-Q3), Q1: 25th percentile, Q3: 75th percentile, n(%), *Kruskal\u0026ndash;Wallis H Test, post hoc Bonferroni Test ** Mann\u0026ndash;Whitney U Test, *** Fisher Exact Test were performed. \u003csup\u003ea\u0026minus;c\u003c/sup\u003e The presence of at least one common letter in the same row indicates that there is no statistically significant difference (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05).\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor basketball players, the correlation between scores on the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) and the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) was not significant (r\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.046, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.623). However, among sedentary women, a very weak yet statistically significant negative correlation was found between the two scales (r=-0.195, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.029) (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe effect of league level on the risk of disordered eating among female basketball players was examined using multiple linear regression analysis. In the crude model, no significant association was found between league level and EAT-26 scores (β\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.025, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.818). The effect of the league variable remained statistically non-significant in Model 1, which was adjusted for body appreciation (β\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.046, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.690); in Model 2, with the further addition of age (β=-0.015, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.493); and in Model 3, which also included education level (β=-0.038, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.750). Similarly, in the final model (Model 4), which controlled for body appreciation, age, education level, and BMI, league level did not have a significant effect on EAT-26 scores (β\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.103, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.300) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMultivariate linear regression analysis related to eating disorders in basketball players\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"5\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEAT-26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eβ\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95% Confidence Interval\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ep value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLower\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUpper\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeague\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrude\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.025\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.230\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.432\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.545\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.818\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eModel 1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.046\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.400\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.404\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.609\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.690\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eModel 2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.015\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.127\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.561\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.430\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.493\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eModel 3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.038\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.319\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.618\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.447\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.750\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eModel 4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.103\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.042\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.300\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"7\"\u003eModel 1: Adjusted for body appreciation scale (BAS) (R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e: 0.033; 0.082)\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"7\"\u003eModel 2: Adjusted for age, body appreciation scale (BAS) (R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e: 0.048; 0.049)\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"7\"\u003eModel 3: Adjusted for body appreciation scale (BAS), age, and education level (R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e: 0.067; 0.034)\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"7\"\u003eModel 4: Adjusted for body appreciation scale (BAS), age, education level, and BMI (R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e:0.068; 0.041)\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eIn the present study, the body appreciation and eating behaviors of professional female basketball players from different leagues were examined, and the findings were compared with those of sedentary women. Detailed analyses revealed potential relationships between body appreciation and eating behaviors. This research is the first study to evaluate this relationship among Turkish professional female basketball players across different league levels.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe median Body Appreciation Scale score of the basketball players participating in the present study was 41. Similar studies have reported mean scale scores in female athletes as 41\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;9.65 and 43.37\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.89 [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e]. In a study conducted in Canada on female athletes in volleyball, track and field, and dance, the BAS-2 was utilized, and the mean score was reported as 3.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.65 [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e31\u003c/span\u003e]. Due to differences in sample ages and sport disciplines, these findings should be interpreted with caution across studies. Furthermore, the distinctions between the scales must be considered when comparing results obtained from the BAS and the BAS-2 in the literature.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn the present study, basketball players competing in the top league had higher body appreciation than players in other leagues. Similarly, a study on soccer players reported that professional athletes exhibited greater body appreciation than amateur athletes [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e]. However, a different study determined that beginner-level ballet dancers had higher body appreciation than advanced-level dancers [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e]. Another distinct finding of our study is that female athletes had higher body appreciation than their sedentary counterparts. Similarly, CrossFit athletes and individuals engaged in weight training have been shown to possess higher body appreciation than sedentary participants [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e33\u003c/span\u003e]. In general, the findings in the literature indicate that while body appreciation is influenced by variables such as professional level and sport discipline, physical activity plays a protective role in body image compared to a sedentary lifestyle. This protective effect may be explained by several psychosocial and sport-specific mechanisms. Firstly, the 'functional body focus' inherent in basketball allows athletes to value their bodies for physical capacity and performance rather than aesthetic appearance. Furthermore, the team identity and collective goals in team sports can buffer against individual appearance-related anxieties, while the 'non-lean' nature of basketball reduces the pressure for extreme thinness often found in aesthetic disciplines or social media-driven sedentary groups [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e34\u003c/span\u003e] .\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn addition to these positive findings regarding body appreciation, the study's other focus\u0026mdash;eating attitudes and the risk of disorders\u0026mdash;is critical for athlete health. A study by Kong et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e] demonstrated that the EAT-26 scores of athletes in \"lean sports\" (e.g., dance, gymnastics, swimming) were significantly higher than those of athletes in \"non-lean sports\" (team sports such as basketball, volleyball, handball, and soccer). Furthermore, the rate of eating disorder risk among female athletes in lean sports was reported to be 84%. In a separate study among female athletes, 27.4% of participants were found to be at high risk for an eating disorder [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e35\u003c/span\u003e]. In a study conducted with female university athletes in Turkey, the mean EAT-26 score was found to be 17.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;8.4, and 32.5% of the participants were identified as being at risk for an eating disorder [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e36\u003c/span\u003e]. In Pakistan, a study of 60 elite female athletes aged 18\u0026ndash;25 found that 50% of the athletes were at risk for an eating disorder according to their EAT-26 results [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e37\u003c/span\u003e]. In another study involving 56 female athletes, 8 participants (14.3%) were found to be at risk for an eating disorder, with a mean EAT-26 score of 7.9\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.6 [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e38\u003c/span\u003e]. Like other studies in the literature, our study found that 21.6% of female athletes were at risk for disordered eating behaviors. As emphasized in the literature, female athletes are considered a high-risk group for eating disorders [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e39\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e40\u003c/span\u003e]. When evaluated in conjunction with the results obtained in the present study, these findings highlight the importance of closely monitoring eating behaviors in female athletes and implementing preventive interventions for at-risk groups.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn the present study, it was found that 24.8% of sedentary women were at high risk for an eating disorder, and the difference was not statistically significant when compared to female basketball players. Like the findings of our study, research in Norway determined that recreational and national-level athletes exhibited significantly lower symptoms of eating disorders compared to sedentary and physically inactive individuals [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e40\u003c/span\u003e]. Conversely, a systematic review and meta-analysis by Ghazzawi et al [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e41\u003c/span\u003e]. reported that female athletes have a 45% higher prevalence of eating disorder behaviors compared to sedentary individuals. Similarly, the study emphasized that athletes are at a higher risk for eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors compared to sedentary individuals [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e42\u003c/span\u003e]. The finding in some studies that athletes are at a lower risk for eating disorders than their sedentary counterparts may be explained by a greater emphasis on body functionality and performance-related goals inherent in athletic participation. Conversely, the higher risk reported in other studies has been linked to sport-specific pressures that prioritize weight, shape, or appearance. This inconsistency suggests that eating disorder risk cannot be explained by a single factor. In line with this perspective, the absence of a significant difference in eating disorder risk in our sample may reflect the influence of contemporary societal factors. In particular, the pervasive impact of social media and idealized aesthetic norms may expose sedentary women to levels of appearance-related pressure comparable to those experienced by athletes, potentially contributing to a convergence in eating disorder risk prevalence [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e43\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOne of the notable findings of our study is that no significant relationship was detected between body appreciation and eating attitudes among professional basketball players. This outcome may be explained by the perception of the body primarily as a performance-oriented, functional instrument rather than an aesthetic object in a power-based team sport like basketball, which is classified as \"non-lean\". This interpretation is consistent with the significant negative correlation detected in the sedentary group in the present study and with findings in the literature indicating that this relationship is stronger in \"lean\" sports where aesthetic concerns are prominent. Furthermore, the focus on common goals and the sense of belonging inherent in a team sport may act as a protective buffer against individual appearance-related anxieties, weakening this at-risk relationship. Similar to the findings of our study, a study conducted on adult female athletes in Poland found a significant inverse relationship between the risk of eating disorders, as identified by EAT-26 scores, and body satisfaction. Low body appreciation significantly increases the risk of eating disorders [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e40\u003c/span\u003e]. It has been shown that female athletes are more susceptible to body dissatisfaction and the risk of eating disorders, with this relationship being powerful in sports that focus on a lean body ideal [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e]. In a study conducted with female university athletes, a higher incidence of eating disorders and body dissatisfaction was observed in lean sports (e.g., gymnastics, swimming). This trend was more prominent when compared to male athletes and non-lean sports [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR44\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e44\u003c/span\u003e]. According to a systematic review of professional male and female athletes, the prevalence of eating disorders is higher in elite athletes than in the general population; however, a lower risk was observed in terms of body dissatisfaction. It is noted that this relationship is particularly pronounced in female athletes and in \"lean\" sports [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]. The literature generally reports that higher body appreciation is inversely related to symptoms of eating disorders, indicating that an increase in body appreciation runs parallel to a decrease in risk as measured by indicators like the EAT-26. This pattern has been demonstrated in both various community samples and among athletes, and it is consistent with our findings. It is emphasized that psychological resilience, self-esteem, and particularly self-compassion may bolster body appreciation, thereby strengthening emotional/functional eating attitudes [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e34\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e45\u003c/span\u003e] These findings indicate that the relationship between body appreciation and eating disorders in athletes is particularly pronounced in females and \"lean\" sports, yet this association can vary depending on the type of sport and the level of competition.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn the present study, league level was found to have no significant effect on the risk of eating disorders. Similarly, in a regression analysis of female athletes, Abbott et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e45\u003c/span\u003e] reported that the risk of eating disorders was more closely associated with individual traits, such as perfectionism, than with the level of sport participation. Consistent with these findings, Stoyel et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR46\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e46\u003c/span\u003e] demonstrated that eating disorder symptoms among athletes cannot be explained solely by competition level, highlighting the decisive influence of emotional factors and body dissatisfaction. Furthermore, Staśkiewicz-Bartecka and Kardas [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e] emphasized that social media use and body perception may significantly contribute to eating disorder risk among professional female soccer players. Similarly, Ghazzawi et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e41\u003c/span\u003e] reported that younger age, female gender, and higher BMI values are key predictors that significantly increase the risk of eating disorders, whereas athletic status alone is not a sufficient explanatory factor. Taken together, these results support the findings of our study, suggesting that the risk of eating disorders is shaped more by these individual and psychosocial factors\u0026mdash;such as weight-related concerns associated with high BMI\u0026mdash;than by league level.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOur study has several notable strengths. First, it addresses an important gap in the literature by being the first study to examine professional female basketball players competing at different league levels in Turkey. In addition, the comparative design including age-matched sedentary women allows for a clearer evaluation of the potential effects of regular sports participation on body image and eating attitudes. The use of validated and reliable measurement tools, namely the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) and the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), further strengthens the methodological rigor of the study. Overall, the findings contribute valuable insights to the existing literature on body image and eating behaviors among female athletes.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDespite these strengths, several limitations should be acknowledged. Owing to the cross-sectional design, the observed associations cannot be interpreted in a causal framework. Since the data were collected at a single time point, definitive conclusions regarding the directionality of the relationships between body appreciation and eating attitudes cannot be drawn. Moreover, the reliance on self-reported instruments (BAS and EAT-26) may introduce bias related to subjective perception and social desirability. Another limitation concerns the study sample, which consisted solely of female basketball players competing in leagues affiliated with the Turkish Basketball Federation and sedentary women; therefore, the findings cannot be generalized to male athletes, other sports disciplines, or different cultural settings.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDespite its contributions, this study has several limitations that should be considered. First, the cross-sectional design precludes drawing causal inferences or determining the directionality of the relationships between body appreciation and eating attitudes. While the total sample size was statistically powered, the relatively limited sample sizes in league-level subgroups (e.g., Super League n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;33, Regional League n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;37) may have restricted the statistical power to fully reveal differences between leagues or the specific effects of variables within regression models.Furthermore, the relatively low incremental R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e values (0.033\u0026ndash;0.068) observed in our regression models indicate that the analyzed variables explain only a small proportion of the variance in eating attitudes. This suggests that disordered eating behaviors are influenced by a complex interplay of individual and sport-specific factors not controlled in this study, such as training volume (weekly hours and intensity), history of past eating disorders, and current psychological status (anxiety, depression, or stress levels). These findings are consistent with literature highlighting the impact of multidimensional factors like individual perfectionism, coach-related pressures, and sport-specific psychological stressors. Finally, the reliance on self-reported instruments (BAS and EAT-26) may introduce social desirability bias. Future research employing longitudinal designs with larger sample groups and incorporating these specific psychological and training-oriented variables will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamics between body appreciation and eating behaviors in professional basketball players.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eClinical and Practical Implications\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eConsidering the findings, specific practical strategies should be implemented by coaches, sports psychologists, and club administrators. A team culture that encourages athletes to view their bodies as instruments of performance and health, rather than merely aesthetic objects, is essential to bolster body appreciation. Furthermore, when planning screenings and preventive interventions for eating disorder risk, consideration should be given primarily to the athlete's individual psychological characteristics\u0026mdash;such as self-compassion, anxiety, and perfectionism\u0026mdash;and the social environment (family and coach attitudes), rather than their league level. Implementing educational programs that emphasize body functionality may serve as a protective mechanism against risks arising from aesthetic concerns and societal body norms.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study provides evidence that professional women\u0026rsquo;s basketball is associated with significantly higher body appreciation compared to a sedentary lifestyle, suggesting that the sport's focus on physical functionality may serve as a protective buffer against idealized aesthetic norms. Notably, the risk of disordered eating was found to be independent of the league level, indicating that these risks are likely driven by individual psychosocial factors rather than competitive intensity alone. These results highlight the importance of shifting the focus from aesthetic appearance to physical capacity in athletic settings. Future research should employ longitudinal designs to establish causal relationships and compare diverse sport disciplines\u0026mdash;specifically 'lean' versus 'non-lean' sports\u0026mdash;while examining contemporary factors like social media influence to deepen the understanding of eating behaviors in professional athletes.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAuthorship Contributions\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eNeslihan KOCATEPE: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, and Writing \u0026ndash; Original Draft.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHande SEVEN AVUK: Project Administration, Supervision, Methodology, Investigation, and Writing \u0026ndash; Review \u0026amp; Editing.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBeril K\u0026Ouml;SE: Formal Analysis, Validation, Data Curation, and Writing \u0026ndash; Review \u0026amp; Editing.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eEthics Approval and Consent to Participate\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003e Ethical approval for this study was granted by the Istanbul Bilgi University Ethics Committee (Approval No: 2024-40160-157; Date: 10.07.2024) in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. All participants provided both verbal and written informed consent prior to their participation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eConsent for Publication\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003e Written informed consent for the publication of research findings was obtained from all participants involved in the study.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eCompeting Interests\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that they have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003ch2\u003ePermission to Reproduce Material from Other Sources\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo material was reproduced from other sources for this manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFunding\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNeslihan KOCATEPE: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, and Writing \u0026ndash; Original Draft.Hande SEVEN AVUK: Project Administration, Supervision, Methodology, Investigation, and Writing \u0026ndash; Review \u0026amp; Editing.Beril K\u0026Ouml;SE: Formal Analysis, Validation, Data Curation, and Writing \u0026ndash; Review \u0026amp; Editing.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAcknowledgements\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe authors would like to thank the professional basketball players and all participants who volunteered their time for this study. Special thanks are also extended to the clubs and coaches within the Turkish Basketball Federation for their cooperation during the data collection process.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eData Availability\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eZhou R, Zhang L, Liu Y, Cao B. Emotion regulation difficulties and disordered eating in adolescents and young adults: A meta-analysis. 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PLoS ONE. 2021;16(9):e0257577. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257577\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1371/journal.pone.0257577\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-sports-science-medicine-and-rehabilitation","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"ssmr","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation](http://bmcsportsscimedrehabil.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/ssmr/default.aspx","title":"BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation","twitterHandle":"BMC_series","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"body appreciation, eating behaviors, female athletes, basketball players, eating attitudes test (EAT-26)","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9029754/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9029754/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eBackground\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study, which aims to address the lack of team sports-focused data in the literature, analyzes the interaction between body appreciation and eating attitudes in professional basketball players and sedentary women according to league level.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis cross-sectional study included 116 professional female basketball players and 125 sedentary women. Data were collected using the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) and the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26). Due to non-normal data distribution (Kolmogorov-Smirnov, p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05), Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests were used for group comparisons, and Spearman Correlation for variable relationships. Multivariate linear regression models were further applied to assess the impact of league level on eating attitudes while controlling for age, BMI, education, and body image.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe research findings showed that the basketball players' body appreciation scores were statistically significantly higher than the sedentary group (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.001). No significant difference was found between the groups regarding the prevalence of eating disorder risk (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.551). While a significant negative correlation was identified between body appreciation and eating attitude scores in the sedentary group (r=-0.195; p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.029), this relationship was not found to be substantial in the basketball player group (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05).\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusion\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe lack of association between body appreciation and eating attitudes in the athlete group is consistent with literature suggesting that team sports may prioritize physical functionality, potentially acting as a protective buffer against aesthetic pressures. However, direct comparisons with individual sports are needed to further clarify this mechanism. Research findings indicate that, regardless of an individual's level of competitiveness, cognitive-behavioral interventions focused on physical functioning are essential. In conclusion, this study contributes to the growing body of evidence indicating that sports participation is positively associated with enhanced body appreciation.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"The Impact of Athletic Participation on Body Image and Eating Disorders: A Cross- Sectional Study of Female Basketball Players and Sedentary Women Running title: Body Appreciation in Female Basketball","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-04-01 06:23:52","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9029754/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-14T09:38:45+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"8137564600780959376016948686709307332","date":"2026-04-30T15:54:21+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-04-15T17:34:48+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"139158429531946218304995048044394386931","date":"2026-04-07T11:33:02+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2026-03-27T16:49:55+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-03-26T12:28:29+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2026-03-09T04:55:02+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2026-03-06T09:52:37+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation","date":"2026-03-06T08:58:30+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-sports-science-medicine-and-rehabilitation","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"ssmr","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation](http://bmcsportsscimedrehabil.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/ssmr/default.aspx","title":"BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation","twitterHandle":"BMC_series","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"fd620c77-f5aa-4729-8d26-c0d4e632986c","owner":[],"postedDate":"April 1st, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-14T09:38:45+00:00","index":32,"fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"8137564600780959376016948686709307332","date":"2026-04-30T15:54:21+00:00","index":31,"fulltext":""}],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-04-01T06:23:56+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-04-01 06:23:52","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-9029754","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-9029754","identity":"rs-9029754","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}